Connecting in a Cyber World

Reading a comment from another person validates my actions. At this point, comments tell me, okay, I did actually post and someone else is able to read it. As using these tools become more of a habit, the validation is more along the lines of--someone read my words and felt compelled to respond in some way. Isn't this the purpose? To publish your thoughts for others to see and be inspired to act?
I think the key is to comment, both in agreement and to dispute. In this world of cyber communication, if we do not respond to something that we find questionable, does the author continue to think that what they are publishing is irrefutable?